Thursday, August 19, 2021
Opening Prayer:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
Confession of Sin & Prayer for Grace
Lord Jesus, all authority in heaven and earth has been given to you. I confess that I have neglected your command to make disciples. I have been content to keep the light of your gospel hidden. I have valued my comfort over your kingdom, my security over your power, and my reputation over your glory. Forgive me Lord, for my unbelief in the power of your Gospel, and for my lack of faith in your promises. Jesus, ignite my desire for your coming kingdom, that my faith may be renewed and my hope strengthened. Let your light shine in me that others may see my good works and glorify you. Amen.
Old Testament Reading: Isaiah 51
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
New Testament Reading: John 6:41-58
Prayer of Adoration:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gift of your Son Jesus. It is only in Him that I have the right to call you Father. I adore you for the indescribable richness of your triune life, which I can partake in because of your Son.
Psalm Reading: Psalm 124
Prayer of Consecration
O Lord, this psalm makes me so grateful that your word deals honestly with the human experience in all its messiness. This day will surely bring a myriad of distractions, pressures, and temptations. I know that my heart is easily led away from you and entrapped by various kinds of sin. Thank you Father that you have not left me alone. If you were not defending me, I would be overcome. In your goodness, you have kept me from becoming prey to the threatening darkness. This psalm foreshadows what your word says elsewhere, that with every temptation you provide a way of escape. Like the bird escaping the trapper’s net, I will look for ways to get away from temptation and call out to you, knowing you set me free. My help is in the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
BENEDICTION
And now may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and always, until the day of Christ's return.
